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Indianapolis Colts Football

The two events were separated by a dozen days but have impacted the city of Indianapolis immensely.

It started on Jan. 25, 2012, when a new era began with the Indianapolis Colts announcing Chuck Pagano

Then on Feb. 5, 2012, Lucas Oil Stadium played host to a thrilling Super Bowl XLVI as Ahmad Bradshaw scored the game-winning touchdown for the New York Giants on a six-yard run with 57 seconds to play in the fourth quarter.

Pagano and Bradshaw will now be under that Lucas Oil Stadium roof this fall trying to get back to the stage where the Colts newest running back has thrived twice in his six-year NFL career.

Bradshaw joins the Colts and brings a pair of Super Bowl rings, along with rushing for over 1,000 yards in two of the past three seasons.

“We just are very excited, obviously, to have (Bradshaw) coming in the fold,” Pagano said.

“It’s huge any time you can add a guy that’s got Super Bowl rings and understands what it takes, has that mindset, put another pro in that locker room, another mentor. I mean the guy’s a beast. He’s a warrior.”

In January, Bradshaw had foot surgery but according to Pagano the former Giants running back is trending in the right direction and the newest Colt echoes that statement.

“At 27, I feel great,” Bradshaw said. “After the surgery, I feel even more younger. I can’t wait to prove myself and prove to everybody else that I can be a dominant back in this league.”

Bradshaw believes he still has the capabilities to be an every down back but also acknowledges the talent of last year’s starter Vick Ballard.

The addition of Bradshaw gives the Colts a formidable one-two backfield punch that was missing near the end of 2012.

“We just see a huge opportunity for me to come and help Vick (Ballard) and those guys out,” Bradshaw said. “I feel this offense is young and they need a spark and I feel like I can be that spark that they can use. My point is to get in and learn the offense and get started as quick as possible.”

That arrival comes this afternoon when Bradshaw will walk back into Lucas Oil Stadium for the first time since that historic February evening nearly 18 months ago.

Pagano will be right there with them, coming out of the same locker room and tunnel, hoping they will be doing that together into early February.